Preoperative Helical Dynamic Enhanced Multidetector Row Computed Tomography: Can It Be a Prognostic Indicator in Early-Stage Non-small Cell Lung Cancer?

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the prognostic significance of dynamic contrast-enhanced computed tomography in patients with stage IA non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

Methods: We retrospectively enrolled 139 patients (77 men, 62 women; mean age, 59 years) with stage IA NSCLC who underwent dynamic contrast-enhanced computed tomography. Data on age, pathologic subtype, peak enhancement, and net enhancement of primary lung cancer were collected and correlated with 5-year survival.

Results: Peak enhancement had a significant correlation with overall survival in the univariable analysis (hazard ratio [HR], 1.18, confidence interval [CI], 1.01-1.38; P = 0.04) and in the multivariable analysis (HR, 1.19; CI, 1.01-1.39; P = 0.04). Patients with peak enhancement of 90 Hounsfield unit or higher had a significantly increased risk of death compared with patients with less enhancement after curative surgery (HR, 4.15; CI, 1.23-13.95; P = 0.02).

Conclusions: Our study confirmed the prognostic significance of peak enhancement as an indicator for the overall survival of stage IA NSCLC.